Chronic proctitis, also called irritable rectum, and sometimes rectal catarrh, with symptoms that might be expected to emanate from a disease of the mucous membrane, rarely amounting to a diffuse thickening of the rectal walls, is treated similarly, except less palliative. Combinations of eucalyptol, iodoform and bismuth; or eucalyptol ½ dr., oxide of zinc 1 dr., vaseline 1 oz., are highly recommended after the rectal douche. Some physicians hold that chronic inflammation of the rectum is a disease of more frequent occurrence than all other rectal diseases combined. And equally as pernicious, causing many functional and even organic troubles through reflex action. FLUSHING THE COLON. I have always been loath to admit the value of a thing which did not come from an authoritative source. A little retrospective medicine, however, is sufficient to teach any of us that many important discoveries have been made without the free-will and full consent of “acknowledged authorities;” and that it is not positively necessary for progressive physicians to first obtain their permission before being allowed to think and act for themselves. Flushing the colon is a discovery of intrinsic worth, brought to notice in an irregular way, and has its place as a remedial agent with which every physician should become familiar. If you doubt its efficacy, and want a free evacuation of the bowels without taking physic, lie on the back and inject into the rectum slowly with a bulb-syringe one-half gallon or more of hot water, and you will get it inside of fifteen minutes. I do not see that Dr. A. W. Hall, who claims in his health pamphlet to be the father of the process, and whose name bears the titles of Ph.D. and LL.D., and consequently deserving of the respect of an educated man, makes out a clear case in defense of his “New Hygienic Treatment” as a life-giving principle, _either_ in health or disease. His argument is certainly unphysiological, and we are left to infer that nature has been derelict in the construction of man, which he has been instrumental in supplementing. If he were to confine himself to disease alone, his reasoning would appear more plausible; but he claims that people enjoying good health, with no physical ailment whatever, should wash out the colon. [Illustration: FIG. 31.—Flushing the Colon.] No doubt Dr. Hall has been greatly benefited by flushings of the colon, as also have many others, which offers some apology for the enthusiasm and interest he manifests in the “new revelation;” but we shall be compelled to look to others for the pathological conditions in which it will be found of greatest service.